Champions League: How did none of six Premier League teams in last 16 come away with first-leg wins?

12 March 2026, 10:21 | Updated: 13 March 2026, 10:22

English clubs were riding high in Europe heading into this week's last-16 showdowns, so what has gone wrong after a chastening few days that have seen just one team claim a first-leg win?

There were mutterings on the continent of the supposed dangers of the dominance of the Premier League after nine sides progress to the last 16 of the Champions League, Europa League and Conference Leagues, more than anyone else in Europe.

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However, Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City and Chelsea all suffered damaging three-goal defeats on the road in the Champions League. Premier League champions Liverpool lost at Galatasaray, while Newcastle United and Arsenal only managed draws.

Aston Villa spared the blushes of Premier League teams by narrowly beating Lille 1-0 in France in the Europa League. However, Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace endured further disappointment.

Forest were beaten at home by Midtjylland for the second time this season, while in the Conference League Palace failed to beat Cypriot side Larnaca, whose new boss had only had two training sessions with them.

Despite such an overwhelmingly dissapointing week of results, England are comfortably in front in UEFA's coefficient rankings, with the top two nations earning an extra Champions League qualification spot. Spain has now overtaken Germany for second spot.

Former Spurs and Man City midfielder Michael Brown said results in the Champions League had been "a massive blow to English football" on Soccer Special - so why have the Premier League teams struggled so much?

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